Jury to be selected in child porn trial

BELFAST, Maine — Jury selection will begin next week in the trial of a former Mount View Junior High School teacher accused of viewing child pornography on school and personal computers.

Michael Douglas, 42, of Augusta, appeared in Waldo County Superior Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of sexually explicit materials. The charge was issued in Kennebec County and was joined with a similar charge filed in Waldo County in May. Douglas has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

When entering his plea, Douglas also waived his right to have the Kennebec County grand jury review his case. Douglas’ attorney, Walter McKee, told Justice Jeffrey Hjelm that his client wanted to combine the Kennebec County charge with the one from Waldo County and have both cases tried together.

Both charges stem from a dual investigation that involved Douglas’ computer at the Thorndike school as well as his personal computer at his home in Augusta.

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Douglas resigned his position as science teacher when the investigation came to light in April 2009.

Deputy District Attorney Eric Walker said he expected the trial to last two days. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday.